Method and device for handling hygiene items

ABSTRACT

A method for handling (flat) objects, particularly hygiene products such as nappies, sanitary napkins or similar, said objects being transported on a substantially continuously-driven feed conveyor and being compressed following transport on said feed conveyor. A group of objects is shifted from the feed conveyor by a shifting device, particularly a slider, said slider at least partially travelling in the transport direction of the feed conveyor with the objects during the shifting action; in that the group of objects is preferably fed, by said shifting device, to a first compression device and is at least partially (pre)compressed thereby; and in that the at least partially (pre)compressed group of objects is subsequently fed to a second compression device and undergoes a further (main) compression therein.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is the US Chapter I National Phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/002455 having an International Filing Date of 15 Aug. 2013, which claims priority on German Patent Application No. 10 2012 107 599.9 having a filing date of 20 Aug. 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for handling (flat) objects, particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, said objects being transported on a substantially continuously-driven feed conveyor and being compressed following transport on the feed conveyor.

Moreover, the invention relates to a device for handling (flat) objects, particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor for the substantially continuous transport of the objects and with a compression device arranged after the feed conveyor for compressing a group of objects.

2. Prior Art

Methods and devices of this type are known in the industry in a great number of different variants. Usually, the objects are fed on a feed conveyor, a compartment conveyor, for example, and shifted by means of a pusher from the feed conveyor at an angle, particularly transversely, to the transport direction thereof. The objects are then transported directly or indirectly into the area of a compression device. This can also be done by the pusher in the area of the feed conveyor. It is also conceivable, however, for the objects to first pass through other stations or units and then reach the area of the compression device. There, the objects are compressed as a group. The objects are then transported further and/or packaged.

One problem with known methods and devices is that very high demands are placed on the working speed thereof, sometimes ranging up to 1800 products per minute. These demands have also increased because the transport and packing performance of other elements within the packing line has increased in the meantime. However, known methods and devices are only suited to such working speeds to a limited extent, particularly resulting in malpositioned objects and/or pronounced wear on the devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In taking this as a point of departure, it is the object of the invention to further develop known methods and devices, particularly with regard to higher working speeds and improved handling of the objects.

To achieve this object, a method according to the invention is a method for handling (flat) objects, particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the objects are transported on a substantially continuously-driven feed conveyor and being compressed following transport on the feed conveyor, characterized in that a group of objects is shifted by a shifting device, particularly a pusher, from the feed conveyor, the pusher running along at least partially with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor, and that the group of objects is preferably fed by the shifting device to a first compression device and (pre-)compressed by same at least partially, and that the at least partially (pre-)compressed group of objects is then fed to a second compression device and undergoes further (main) compression therein. According to that, a provision is made that a group of objects is shifted from the feed conveyor by a shifting device, particularly a pusher, the pusher running along at least partially with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor, and that the group of objects is preferably fed by the shifting device to a first compression device and (pre-)compressed by same at least partially, and that the at least partially (pre-)compressed group of objects is then fed to a second compression device and undergoes further (main) compression therein.

According to a preferred development of the invention, a provision is made that the first compression device has two independently driven compression units which are moved relative to each other for the (pre-)compression of the group of objects while the compression units are also moved at least partially in the transport direction of the feed conveyor. This solution particularly offers the advantage and the feature that the compression movement of the compression units can be overlapped with the following movement of the compression device.

Another distinctive feature of the method is that air is extracted from the group of objects, particularly in the second compression device, preferably via suction holes arranged in the area of a lower bottom wall of the compression device, in order to reduce the force required for the compression of the group of objects. Alternatively or in addition, the group of objects can also be impinged with low pressure via the suction holes in order to hold the objects on the bottom wall of the compression device, for example.

The next distinctive feature of the method is that the objects or groups of objects are checked during handling in the area of the packing machine with respect to proper arrangement and position or number. An optical inspection device is used for this which scans the objects and/or group of objects and/or bags in a contactless manner. This is preferably done according to the laser cutting method.

A device for achieving the object mentioned at the outset is a device for handling (flat) objects, particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor for the substantially continuous transport of the objects and with a compression device arranged adjacent to the feed conveyor for compressing a group of objects, characterized in that the group of objects can be shifted from the feed conveyor by a shifting device, particularly a pusher, the shifting device being set up to be moved along at least partially with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor during shifting, and that a first compression device is provided for the at least partial (pre-)compression of the group of objects, and that a second compression device is provided in which the at least partially (pre-)compressed group of objects undergoes further (main) compression. According to that, a provision is made that the group of objects can be shifted from the feed conveyor by a shifting device, particularly a pusher, the pusher being set up to be moved along at least partially with the objects in the transport direction of the feed conveyor during shifting, and that a first compression device is provided for the at least partial (pre-)compression of the group of objects, and that a second compression device is provided in which the at least partially (pre-) compressed group of objects undergoes further (main) compression.

Another distinctive feature can be that a turning station is arranged between the first compression device and the second compression device for rotating the group of objects as required, preferably by 90°. This can be advantageous for the further packing process. The turning device can be used on a case-by-case basis for this purpose.

The checking of the position of the group of objects can also be an important issue during the compression of the objects. This can preferably be done in the second compression device, with sensors being provided to check the position of the group of objects, particularly with an aim to check for uniform alignment of the objects within the group.

Furthermore, the compression process can be facilitated by preferably providing the second compression device with suction holes for holding the group of objects, particularly in the area of a lower bottom wall of the compression device. Moreover, the suction holes can also be used to hold the objects in the compression device through impingement with low pressure.

It can be advantageous if the feed conveyor is embodied as a compartment belt, with dividing walls being provided between adjacent compartments of the compartment belt, the pusher having flexible means with which the pusher abuts against the dividing walls during shifting of objects. For example, felt padding can be used for the pusher which abut against the walls of the compartments and ensure, on the one hand, that the objects are securely grasped and pushed out and, on the other hand, offer the advantage that the compartments are cleaned in the process.

Another distinctive feature can be a cladding on the feed conveyor which, for example, enables a fault in the area of the device to be removed while the objects are being transported past the device on the feed conveyor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a production facility for hygiene products,

FIGS. 2-4 show an enlarged representation of the packing line in the area of a packing machine for the hygiene products during different successive phases,

FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line V-V in FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 shows a vertical section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line VI-VI in FIG. 3,

FIG. 7 shows a horizontal section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line VII-VII in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged vertical section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 shows enlarged detail of the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 according to arrow IX in FIG. 2,

FIG. 10 shows a vertical section along sectional line X-X in FIG. 9,

FIG. 11 shows a vertical section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line XI-XI in FIG. 2,

FIG. 12 shows enlarged detail of the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 according to arrow XII in FIG. 5,

FIG. 13 shows enlarged detail of the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 in region XIII in FIG. 25,

FIG. 14 shows a vertical section through the device according to FIGS. 2 to 4 along sectional line V-V in FIG. 3 without additional illustration of a cladding,

FIGS. 15-16 shows a horizontal section through the detail according to FIG. 14, and

FIGS. 17-20 show several schematic representations of the inspection of groups of hygiene products by means of an optical inspection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described below on the basis of a device for the grouping of objects 10. First, the basic functional principle will be described, followed by special details of the device.

The objects 10 can be hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or cleaning wipes or the like. In the present case, the objects 10 are flat.

The objects 10 are transported from a converter 11 by a first feed conveyor 12 and assembled in a grouping device 13 into groups 14 of objects 10 and transported further on another feed conveyor 15.

The feed conveyor 15 leads past two packing machines 16 for wrapping groups 14 of objects 10 in (film) bags 17. By means of shifting devices 18 (not shown in FIG. 1), groups 14 can optionally be fed to one or the other packing machine 16. Optionally, the groups 14 can also be conveyed past the packing machines 16 into the area of a packing machine 19 for folding boxes 20 or into the area of a packing machine 21 for seal packs 22.

The feed conveyor 15 extends starting from the grouping device 13 along the two packing machines 16 into the area of the packing machine 19. A third feed conveyor 23 leads from the feed conveyor 15 in the direction of the packing machine 21. The third feed conveyor 23 begins just behind the second packing machine 16. Here, too, a shifting device 18 can be provided for transferring the groups 14 from the feed conveyor 15 to the feed conveyor 23.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show a top view of one of the two packing machines 16 for packing a group 14 of objects 10 into a bag 17. The objects 10 are transported on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24. The transport is done substantially continuously, the speed of the transport being adaptable. However, no stoppage of the feed conveyor 15 is provided for during normal operation of the device.

In the present case, the feed conveyor 15 is embodied as a pocket chain conveyor. Important here are compartments 25 formed on the feed conveyor 15 which are bounded by dividing walls 26 arranged transverse to the transport direction 24. Transverse to the transport direction 24, the compartments 25 are open at least in the shifting direction.

Several objects 10 are arranged in each compartment 25. In the present exemplary embodiment, the objects 10 are arranged so as to stand, and the objects 10 rest on a narrow side. The number of objects 10 in a compartment 25 can match in each case. A different number of objects 10 in the compartments 25 is also conceivable, however.

The shifting device 18 is embodied as a pusher 27 in the present case. The pusher 27 is moveably mounted on a unit 28 parallel to the feed conveyor 15. Furthermore, the pusher 27 has a front transversely aligned pusher plate 28 with which a group 14 of objects 10 is pushed by the feed conveyor 15, namely at an angle, particularly transverse to the transport direction 24.

In order to shift a group 14 of objects 10, the pusher plate 28 engages between the dividing walls 26 of the feed conveyor 15. Since the feed conveyor 15 is not to be stopped upon shifting of the group 14, the pusher 27 moves along with the group 14 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24.

In the present case, the pusher 27 gathers a group 14 which extends over several compartments 25. It is also conceivable for the pusher 15 only to shift the objects 10 out of one respective compartment 25.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the pusher 27 can both be moved transversely to the feed conveyor 15 and swiveled upward after shifting a group 14 and retracted into a starting position. Moreover, after the shifting of a group 14, the pusher 27 is moved back counter to the transport direction 24 into a starting position according to FIGS. 3 and 4.

By means of the pusher 27, the group 14 of objects 10 is shifted into the area of a first compression device 30, which is used for the pre-compression of the group 14. The compression device 30 has two compression units 31, for example in the form of compression jaws, which are brought to abut against opposing side surfaces of the group 14 and compresses these at least partially by pressing them together.

To enable continuous operation of the device, a provision is made that the compression device 30 initially moves together with the pusher 27 in the transport direction 24 with the group 14 and the feed conveyor 14. After transfer of the group 14 to the compression device 30, the compression units 31 are moved together, thus compressing the group 14. The movement of the compression units 31 can be overlapped (at least partially) with the following movement.

FIG. 2 shows a first phase of pre-compression, namely the transfer of the group 14 by means of the pusher 27 from the feed conveyor 15 into the area of the compression units 31. FIG. 3 shows the compression device 30 during the pre-compression of the group 14, and FIG. 4 shows the compression device 30 toward the end of the pre-compression of the group 14.

The compression units 31 are moved toward each other in the direction of arrows 32 in order to compress the group 14. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the pusher 27 has already been moved back into a starting position and is being held ready for the shifting of the next group 14.

Upon conclusion of pre-compression in the compression device 30 (FIG. 4), the pre-compressed group 14 is transferred to a transfer unit 33, whose task it is to feed the pre-compressed group 14 to another compression device 34. A pusher 35 which shifts the group 14 in the direction of the second compression device 34 is active in the transfer unit 33.

The transfer unit 33 has yet another, optional function that will be described later and involves the aligning of the objects 10. Optionally, the transfer unit 33 can also be omitted, in which case the objects 10 are transferred directly to the other compression device 34.

The second compression device 34 is not embodied so as to move along with the feed conveyor 15, but rather is stationary with two moveable compression units 36 which can be moved, like the compression units 31, laterally against the group 14 in order to perform the main compression or final compression of the group 14.

The second compression device 34 is set up to process one or several groups 14. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, several groups 14 can be accommodated one behind the other in the transport direction 37 in the compression device 34 and compressed simultaneously.

After conclusion of the main compression, the group 14 or groups 14 is or are shifted and packed into a bag 17 as indicated in FIG. 2.

Additional distinctive features of the device described up to this point will be explained in detail below:

The group 14 of objects 10 is pushed by the shifting device 18 from the feed conveyor 15 between the compression units 31. The end regions of the compression units 31 facing toward the feed conveyor 15 are embodied so as to diverge slightly in order to facilitate the pushing-in of the group 14. At this point in time, the distance of the compression units 31 with respect to each other corresponds approximately to the width (size) of the uncompressed group 14 of objects 10.

Walls of the compression units 31 against which the group 14 abuts run in the transport direction 37 so as to converge slightly, so that the channel for the objects 10 formed between the compression units 31 tapers in the transport direction 37. As a result of the transport of the group 14 of objects 10 along the walls, the group 14 is thus partially compressed. The transport of the objects 10 occurs in the same manner as on the feed conveyor 15.

During the continuous transport of the objects 10 through the compression device 30, the objects 10 rest on a conveyor belt 38 which extends in the area of the compression device 30. In the present case, the conveying means has cross members 39 as transport units aligned transverse to the direction of conveyance of the objects 10 which abut against a group 14 on the rear side in the transport direction and push it over the conveyor belt 38. Additional cross members 40 are provided for front-side abutment against a group 14. The cross members 39, 40 are arranged so as to alternate with each other.

The two groups of cross members 39, 40 are each driven via conveyor chains 41, 42. The conveyor chains 41, 42 run on either side of the conveyor belt 38 and are connected to the cross members 39 and 40, respectively. The conveyor chains 41, 42 are guided via deflection rollers 43 such that the cross members 39, 40 are guided along at a distance above the conveyor belt 38 for the transporting of the objects 10.

Several respective cross members 39, 40 can be distributed in a uniform spacing around the periphery of the conveyor chains 41, 42. The spacing of the cross members 39, 40 of the same conveyor chain 41, 42 is predetermined and cannot be changed. On the other hand, the spacing of the cross members 39, 40 of the two different conveyor chains 41, 42 can be changed as a function of the length of the objects 10 to be handled in the direction of conveyance of the compression device 30.

The two conveyor chains 41, 42 are each driven by a drive shaft 44, 45 and a (servo-)drive 46, 47 associated with the respective drive shaft 44, 45.

The compression units 31 are driven in a similar manner. For this purpose, two drives 48, 49 are first provided which are used for the independent driving of one compressor unit 31 each. In this way, the compression units 31 can move independently of the transport of the objects 10 on the feed conveyor 15 in the transport direction 24 and in the opposite direction. Moreover, the compression units 31 can be moved toward each other as shown in the illustration according to FIGS. 3 and 4. The compression units 31 are also driven independently of the drive of the cross members 39, 40.

The coupling of the drives 48, 49 with the compression units 31 is done by means of toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53. In the present case, four toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53 are provided because the compression units 31 are each embodied in two parts, namely with respective upper compression jaws 54, 55 and lower compression jaws 56, 57. The respectively associated upper and lower compression jaws 54, 56; 55, 57 are arranged at a distance to each other, thus forming a gap between the upper compression jaws 54, 55 and the lower compression jaws 56, 57 in the vicinity of which cross members 39, 40 run (FIG. 6).

The compression jaws 54, 55, 56, 57 are moveably mounted on guides 58. The toothed belt 50 drives the upper compression jaw 55. The toothed belt 51 drives the upper compression jaw 54. The toothed belt 52 drives the lower compression jaw 57 and, finally, the toothed belt 53 drives the lower compression jaw 56. In order to synchronize the movements of the compression jaws 54, 56; 55, 57, coupling of the toothed belts 50, 52; 51, 53 is provided, namely via a respective transmission element 59.

Each of the toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53 is embodied as a continuous band. The drives 48, 49 and deflection rollers 60 are arranged respectively on ends of the belt on both sides. The coupling of the compression jaws 54, 55, 56, 57 with the toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53 is done by means of cams 61 by which the compression jaws 54, 55, 56, 57 are connected to the toothed belts 50, 51, 52, 53, for example by clamping (FIG. 12).

Another distinctive feature of the device is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. At issue here is the construction of the transfer unit 33. As described above, the transfer unit 33 has a transfer web 64 with side walls 62 between which the pre-compressed group 14 is pushed by means of the pusher 35, namely into the area of the second compression device 34. However, the transfer unit 33 can also be used to turn the groups 14 before transfer to the second compression device 34. For this purpose, the transfer unit 33 has a turning station 63 which can optionally be used. The use of the turning station 63 is particularly advantageous if the objects 10 have a greater height than width. In such a case, the turning station 63 is then used and first rotates the groups 14 by 90°, so that the pusher 35 shifts the turned group 14 through a channel with side walls 62 in the direction of the second compression device 34, where the main compression usually occurs.

Structurally speaking, the turning station 63 is formed in the present case such that a revolver 66 is driven rotationally about a horizontal axis 67 and has pockets 65, each for one group 14. A separate drive 68 is used for this. A group 14 of objects 10 to be turned is pushed into a pocket 65 in the inlet area 69 of the revolver 66. After that, the revolver 66 is turned by 90° according to arrow 70 in FIG. 8, so that the pocket is flush with the adjacent compression device 34. The group 14 is then pushed out by the pusher 35 and transferred to the compression device 34. The pockets 65 are each bordered on their underside by a bottom wall 71 and side walls 62. On the upper side, the group 14 is held by guides 72 in the pocket 65.

The transfer web 64 has a similar construction as the pockets 65, namely with side walls 62 and a bottom wall 71, although stationary and not rotatable.

To enable changing between the turning station 63 and the transfer web 64, both units are mounted so as to be movable transverse to the transport direction 37 of the group 14, namely on a common carriage 73 in the present case. The carriage 73, in turn, can be moved on corresponding tracks 74.

The construction of the second compression device 34 can be seen from FIGS. 11 and 13. Here, a group 14 or several groups 14 of objects simultaneously undergoes or undergo further compression in the compression device 34 through two compression units 75 or compression jaws. In the present case, this is done through exertion of lateral pressure on the group 14 or the groups 14 according to arrows 32. The two compression units 75 are mounted via carriages 76 on a track 77 and can move transverse to the transport direction 37. By means of (servo-)drives 78, 79, spindles 80, 81 are driven with which the carriages 76 are coupled. In this way, the rotation of the spindles 80, 81 is converted into a lateral movement of the compression units 75. During compression, the group 14 or the groups 14 rest on an underlay 82, which serves as a bottom wall.

Another distinctive feature of the compression device 34 is shown in FIG. 13. Sensors 83 for the detection of the position of the groups 14 are arranged in the working area of the compression units 75, for example in the form of light barriers. In this way, malpositions like in FIG. 13 can be identified. Moreover, suction holes 84 are arranged in a pattern in the underlay 82 or bottom wall. Through the suction holes 84, the objects 14 can be impinged with low pressure in the working area of the compression units 75. For one, this serves to hold the objects 10 or group 14, and/or it also serves to extract air in order to reduce the force required for the compression of the objects 10.

Another distinctive feature, which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, relates to the construction of the pusher 27 in the area of the feed conveyor 15. According to this feature, the pusher plate 29 is provided on the side facing toward the objects 10 with an overlay 85 made of a flexible material such as felt, for example. This overlay 85 serves to ensure that even narrow objects 10 are pushed out of the compartments 25. Furthermore, through the abutment on the upper side of the feed conveyor 15 and the lateral dividing walls 26, a cleaning of the feed conveyor 15 can also be performed. FIG. 9 shows that the overlay 85 is arranged such that it is effective in the area of edges of the compartments 25.

A last distinctive feature is shown in FIGS. 14 to 16. The distinctive feature relates to the arrangement of cladding 86 which covers the feed conveyor 15 as needed.

In the present case, the cladding 14 is embodied such that it covers the feed conveyor 15 with the objects 10 or groups 14 on the sides and top. With closed cladding, the objects 10 therefore cannot be shifted from the feed conveyor 15. Accordingly, the pusher 27 rests on the side next to the cladding 86.

The reason for the cladding 86 is the partitioning of the feed conveyor 15 from the compression device 30 and the shifting device 18. This can prove necessary if a fault occurs in one of the neighboring units, or if maintenance work, retrofitting measures or the like must be performed. It is then necessary to protect the operator or customer service personnel/technician so that they are not injured on the feed conveyor 15. By virtue of the cladding 86, the feed conveyor 15 can thus continue to be operated while work is performed on the neighboring units. This is especially advantageous if several packing machines 16 are arranged along the feed conveyor 15, so that the objects 10, even in the event of a fault or maintenance of a packing machine 16, are transported past it and to another packing machine 16.

In the present case, the cladding 86 is embodied in two parts, and carriages 87 are respectively mounted on a track 88, so that the two halves of the cladding 86 can be pushed apart and together as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 16 shows normal operation in which the objects 10 on the feed conveyor 16 are shifted transversely by the pusher 27 into the area of the compression device 30. FIG. 15 shows a case of a fault or maintenance during which the area of the feed conveyor 15 is encapsulated in the area of the packing machine 16 and the compression device 30.

Another distinctive feature can consists of an optical inspection device 89, which can be used to check the objects 10 or groups 14 of objects 10. The inspection device 89 works with a laser with the aid of which the objects to be inspected are preferably illuminated with a light-band 90 at an angle of <90° according to the laser cutting method. The light-band 90 is detected at a triangulation angle with a sensor, and the dimensions of the object are calculated based on the deflection of the light-band 90 and the triangulation angle.

FIGS. 17, 19 and 18, 20 are intended to explain the use of the measurement principle in this technical field. Accordingly, FIG. 17 shows the scanning of the objects 10 on the feed conveyor 15. The inspection device 89 is arranged in a stationary manner above the feed conveyor 15 and detects the objects 10 arranged in the pockets 91 of the feed conveyor 15. By means of a sensor 92, which is activated by a partition member 93 between the pockets 91, scanning is respectively triggered. In the present case, there is no object 10 in one of the pockets 91 to be detected, so a gap 94 has been created between the objects 10. The result of the scan of the upper side of the objects 10 is shown in FIG. 19. It can clearly be seen that the gap 94 resulting from the missing object 10 is visibly apparent in the measured result.

FIGS. 18 and 20 show another possible use in relation to the scanning of the packed objects 10. This involves the scanning of groups 14 of objects 10 packed in bags 17. In the present case as well, a corresponding inspection device 89 is arranged above the conveyance path and detects the bags 17 from above. It can be seen from FIG. 20 that, through the scanning of the upper side of the bags 17, gaps or other malpositioning in the group 14 would be detectable in the present case as well.

Moreover, it is also conceivable to arrange the inspection devices 89 elsewhere in the packing process, as indicated in FIG. 5, such as in the area of the compression device 30, the transfer unit 33 or the compression device 34. Depending on the application, a check of the objects 10 or groups 14 of objects 10 can also be performed in other places in the packing process.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   10 object -   11 converter -   12 feed conveyor -   13 grouping device -   14 group -   15 feed conveyor -   16 packing machine -   17 bag -   18 shifting device -   19 packing machine -   20 folding box -   21 packing machine -   22 seal pack -   23 feed conveyor -   24 transport direction -   25 compartment -   26 dividing wall -   27 pusher -   28 unit -   29 pusher plate -   30 compression device -   31 compression unit -   32 arrow -   33 transfer unit -   34 compression device -   35 pusher -   36 compression unit -   37 transport direction -   38 conveyor belt -   39 cross member -   40 cross member -   41 conveyor chain -   42 conveyor chain -   43 deflection rollers -   44 drive shaft -   45 drive shaft -   46 drive (cross member) -   47 drive (cross member) -   48 drive (compression unit) -   49 drive (compression unit) -   50 toothed belt -   51 toothed belt -   52 toothed belt -   53 toothed belt -   54 upper compression jaw -   55 upper compression jaw -   56 lower compression jaw -   57 lower compression jaw -   58 guide -   59 transmission element -   60 deflection roller -   61 cam -   62 wall -   63 turning station -   64 transfer web -   65 pockets -   66 revolver -   67 axis 68 drive -   69 inlet area -   70 arrow -   71 bottom wall -   72 guide -   73 carriage -   74 track -   75 compression unit -   76 carriage -   77 track -   78 drive -   79 drive -   80 spindle -   81 spindle -   82 underlay -   83 sensors -   84 suction holes -   85 overlay -   86 cladding -   87 carriage -   88 track -   89 inspection device -   90 light-band -   91 pocket -   92 sensor -   93 partition bar -   94 gap 

1. A method for handling (flat) objects (10), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, wherein the objects (10) are transported on a substantially continuously-driven feed conveyor (15) and being compressed following transport on the feed conveyor (15), wherein a group (14) of objects (10) is shifted by a shifting device (18), particularly a pusher (27), from the feed conveyor (15), the pusher (27) running along at least partially with the objects (10) in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15), and that the group (14) of objects (10) is preferably fed by the shifting device (18) to a first compression device (30) and (pre-)compressed by same at least partially, and that the at least partially (pre-)compressed group (14) of objects (10) is then fed to a second compression device (34) and undergoes further (main) compression therein.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first compression device (30) moves along at least partially in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15) during (pre-)compression.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first compression device (30) has two independently driven compression units (31) which are moved relative to each other and independently of each other for the (pre-)compression of the group (14) of objects (10), while the compression units (31) are also moved at least partially in the same or opposite direction as the feed conveyor (15).
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first compression device (30) and the compression units (31) are driven or moved continuously at least in part.
 5. Method The method according to claim 1, characterized in that air is extracted from the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the second compression device (34), via suction holes (84) preferably arranged in the area of a lower bottom wall (82) of the second compression device (34) in order to reduce the force required for the compression of the group (14) of objects (10).
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the second compression device (34), is impinged with low pressure via suction holes (84) preferably arranged in the area of a lower bottom wall (82) of the second compression device (34) in order to hold the group (14) of objects (10)
 7. the method according to claim 1, wherein the objects (10) and/or groups (14) of objects (10) and/or bags (17) with objects (10) are scanned by at least one inspection device (89) for proper form and/or arrangement and/or number of objects (10), the inspection device (89) preferably working in a contactless manner, particularly according to the laser cutting method.
 8. A device for handling (flat) objects (10), particularly hygiene products such as diapers, sanitary napkins or the like, with a feed conveyor (15) for the substantially continuous transport of the objects (10) and with a compression device (30) arranged adjacent to the feed conveyor (15) for compressing a group (14) of objects (10), wherein the group (14) of objects (10) can be shifted from the feed conveyor (15) by a shifting device (18), particularly a pusher (27), the shifting device (18) being set up to be moved along at least partially with the objects (10) in the transport direction (24) of the feed conveyor (15) during shifting, and that a first compression device (30) is provided for the at least partial (pre-)compression of the group (14) of objects (10), and that a second compression device (34) is provided in which the at least partially (pre-)compressed group (14) of objects (10) undergoes further (main) compression.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein a turning station (63) is arranged between the first compression device (30) and the second compression device (34) for rotating the group (14) of objects (10) as required, preferably by 90°.
 10. The device according to claim 8, further comprising sensors (83) that are preferably provided in the second compression device (34) for checking the position of the group (14) of objects (10), particularly with an aim to check for uniform alignment of the objects (10) within the group (14).
 11. the device according to claim 8, wherein preferably the second compression device (34) has suction holes (84) for holding the group (14) of objects (10) and/or for extracting air during the compression of the group (14) of objects (10), particularly in the area of a lower bottom wall (82) of the second compression device (34).
 12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the feed conveyor (15) is embodied as a compartment belt, with dividing walls (26) being provided between adjacent compartments (25) of the compartment belt, the pusher (27) having flexible means (85) with which the pusher (27) abuts against the dividing walls (26) during shifting of objects (10).
 13. The device according to claim 8, wherein the compression devices (30, 34) are at least part of a device for packing the objects (10), and that, in the event of an at least partial interruption of the operation of the device, a cladding (86) can be positioned on the feed conveyor (15) in such a way that the objects (10) on the feed conveyor (15) are transported past the device and an operator of the device is protected by the cladding (86).
 14. The device according to claim 8, further comprising at least one inspection device (89) that is arranged along the conveyance path of the objects (10) and/or the groups (14) of objects (10) and/or the bags (17) with objects (10) for checking the objects (10) and/or the groups (14) and/or the bags (17) for proper form and/or arrangement and/or number of objects (10), the at least one inspection device (89) preferably working in a contactless manner, particularly according to the laser cutting method. 